Tag Archives: Home Security

A Brief History Of Lock Picking

A Brief History Of Lock PickingThe lock got its start at the dawn of civilization, with early renditions simply using rope. No historian is truly sure who developed the first mechanical lock. Many believe the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians created them separately from each other. More than 6,000 years ago in Egypt, a locksmith managed to create a pin tumbler lock made completely out of wood. The first locks were not very secure, and “perfect security” — the term that security experts use to describe complete safety from intruders — was unattainable. That is, until an inventor named Joseph Bramah came along in the 1770s.

The “Perfect” Lock

A History Of Lock Picking - From Ancient Egypt To TodayIn the 1770s, Bramah arrived to the locksmithing scene in England as a polymath engineer. He created a lock that was far better than any other at that point in history: the Bramah safety lock. His lock had complex layers between the key and the lock’s deadbolt. He believed he’d created the perfect lock. Bramah was so confident in his lock that he even created a contest, offering 200 guineas (about $30,000 today) to anyone who could pick the lock. The British government took interest when the lock proved unbeatable.

The government wanted a perfect lock that would alert the owner if someone tried to open it. Thus, the Chubb detector lock came about, invented by locksmith Jeremiah Chubb. The lock would seize if a lockpicker tried to lift a tumbler too high, so that even the key wouldn’t work. The owner would know that someone tried to open the lock because he or she would have to use a separate key to reset the tumblers. From the 1770s until 1851, civilization enjoyed what is perhaps the only period of “perfect security” in history.

The Lock Controversy Of 1851

An American locksmith named A.C. Hobbs made a living selling his own locks. He generated a great deal of business by showing bank managers how easily he could pick their locks. During London’s Great Exhibition in 1851, Hobbs decided to end the era of perfect security by picking Chubb’s lock. It took him about 25 minutes to successfully get the lock open. Then, he moved on to pick the Bramah lock, which took him about 52 hours total. The feeling of perfect security evaporated.

What Security Looks Like Today

After the downfall of Bramah’s unbeatable lock, locksmiths created with their own renditions. Linus Yale, Jr. mass-produced his pin-and-tumbler locks until it became the world’s most commonly used lock. Yale locks still are available today, and his design likely is the same kind of lock on your doors. Pin-and-tumbler locks are relatively easy to pick if you know what you’re doing have the right tools. Today’s security depends on other more impressive technologies, such as electronic security systems and innovative technological locks.

Modern “lock picking” often involves a crowbar through the window or a breach of a high-tech security system. To protect your home, trust the professional locksmiths and security experts at Locksmith Sarasota.

 

Facts You Never Knew About Locksmiths

Facts You Never Knew About LocksmithsYou’ve locked yourself out your home and the only keys you have are inside. What do you do? Break down your own front door? Smash one of your windows? Calling a locksmith to come pick the lock and let you inside to get your keys is probably your best option.

Locksmiths provide an invaluable service; one that anyone who has ever needed it was extremely grateful for. However, the industry has some severe issues that people need to know about before they hire a locksmith.

Lax Regulations For Locksmiths

Were you aware that only 15 states in America require locksmiths to be licensed? This is a rather alarming fact, as it means that anyone can claim to be a locksmith without any legal proof of their profession. A person simply has to trust that the stranger saying they are a locksmith really is and doesn’t have some other motive for unlocking the door.

Facts You Never Knew About LocksmithsThe lack of licensing is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes it very difficult for people who need the help of a professional locksmith to ensure that they are actually getting that help and not that of an amateur or a person who isn’t a locksmith at all. On the other hand, the abundance of people who can claim to be locksmiths makes it difficult for true professionals to find work.

States That Require Licenses

The only states that require licenses for locksmiths are:

  • California
  • Alabama
  • Illinois
  • Connecticut
  • Nebraska
  • Maryland
  • Louisiana
  • Nevada
  • Oklahoma
  • North Carolina
  • New Jersey
  • Oregon
  • Virginia
  • Texas
  • Tennessee

Hiring a professional locksmith is critical. Not only will a professional have the knowledge and tools to properly help you, he or she will have had to have gone through rigorous background checks to ensure he or she isn’t a criminal.

Conditions Are Worse Out Of Country

Outside the United States, conditions are even worse for locksmiths. Very few countries regulate locksmiths at all. Complete strangers are allowed into a person’s private space, but few governments seem concerned with making sure that these strangers do not have any ill intentions toward the people who asked for their help. Japan, Poland, Hungary, and Canada are the only other countries to regulate the locksmith industry.

Expensive Practices

When you lock yourself out of something and need to call a locksmith, the only service you may want them to provide is to quickly pick the lock and allow you inside. However, this may not be the service you get. What little training most locksmith companies gives their employees is usually just about how to perform drills and replacements.

Drilling is when a locksmith drills out the lock in the door, destroying it in the process. Most people want to be able to lock their door afterward, so if the locksmith drills the lock the customer will also have them replace it.

Locksmiths are often trained not to offer any service other than drilling and replacing a lock. Even if a lock is undamaged and could easily be picked, they will still push the other service. This is because drilling and replacing a lock is the most expensive service locksmiths perform, and they know that most of their clients are desperate enough to accept the more expensive service rather than fighting for a cheaper one.

Not only do locksmiths often push customers to accept their most expensive services, the price for those services is not standardized. There is no set price for locksmithing services; a locksmith can charge any customer any price they believe the customer will pay.

What To Look For

So, if there are so many untrustworthy people claiming to be locksmiths, how can people find a good one? Here are some things to look for:

  • Pick a local service. They need to maintain a good reputation, to stay in business, so choose one that has been working in your area for a while.
  • If you live in one of the states that require locksmiths to be licensed, ask to see their certification.
  • Get a complete price quote on the phone before asking the locksmith to come to your location.

Finding a trustworthy locksmith is difficult, but at least knowing these things allows people to be forewarned before the next time they have to hire a locksmith. Remember to find a licensed locksmith, if possible, to make sure you only get the service you need and, above all else, protect yourself and your home.

Sarasota-Area Locksmiths

If you live in Sarasota and are in need of an honest, professional locksmith, you are in luck. Locksmith Sarasota is an expert and reliable family-owned locksmith company that can help most of its customers in less than half an hour.

The History Of Locks And How They Will Impact Our Future

This entry was posted in Locks and tagged , on by .

History Of Locks And How They Will Impact Our FutureLocks and keys form part of our everyday lives, but how often do we stop to think about them? Most of the time they exist only in the background, until something happens to them and we can’t access our stuff. The other time we think about locks is when our security has been breached and someone has damaged or destroyed our things, or taken them outright. All of these scenarios point to the importance of locks in our lives.

A Brief History Of Locks

Locks have been around for thousands of years. From the time the first human had something worth keeping, they were looking for a way to keep that item secure.

The first evidence of a lock designed to keep something secured dates to about 6,000 years ago. It was fashioned in Mesopotamia, which today is made up of modern Iraq, as well as parts of Syria, Iran and Turkey. A wooden pin lock was used during this time to keep possessions secured, as well as a means of keeping track of who was coming and going

First Pin Lock

Modern-day Iraq is also the birthplace of the pin lock. Archaeologists discovered a basic lock and key system while on a dig at the Palace of Khorsabad in the 1800s. The find dates to 4000 BC and its wooden design shares some basic similarities with modern locks.

Here’s how it worked: Pins of different lengths inside the lock mechanism would stop the door from opening unless the correct key was inserted in the lock. Only the correct key would push the pins up and move the wooden bolt holding the door securely in place could be pushed out of the way.

Development Of Metal Locks

Metal was first used to fashion locks using the same basic design developed in ancient times during the Middle Ages. Locks had a keyhole with a cylinder on their far end. The keyhole featured a series of wards, or concentric plates, that would be able to block a key from turning unless it had the correct pattern of notches to match they pattern or wards. If the key turned freely, it would engage the bolt when turned.

Modern Locksmithing Is Born

The Industrial Age of the 1760s saw power-driven machines replacing hand tools. During this period in history, Robert Barron patented a double-acting lever tumbler lock. His design required between two and four separate levers to lift to separate heights in order for a lock to be opened. These locks were more secure than anything on the market to date, but they could still be picked.

In 1784, Joseph Bramah patented his design for a lock that is still in use in London today. It uses a cylindrical key to press a number of wafers inside the locking device. The correct key hits the wafers and will retract the bolt.

Inventors like Chubb and Schlage improved upon these lock designs, adding their own innovations. Linus Yale, Jr. added the flat grooved key with a notched edge that we are all familiar with for residential locks.

The Future Of Locks

Our need for security has not gone away, but the way we keep things secure is ever-evolving. The future of locks will likely involve doing away with a physical key, which can be used by anyone who has access to it and can become lost.

Instead, digital locks are becoming more popular. We already have locks that can be programmed to use passwords, codes or fingerprints for authentication methods. Facial recognition software is now available to open some doors. Lock companies are also experimenting with technology that will allow you to open a lock with your smartphone or the sound of your voice.

In the meantime, you can trust Locksmith Sarasota for all your residential and commercial locksmith needs. Call us today if you want to replace or update your existing locks.

Smart Home Security Just Got Better With Facial Recognition

This entry was posted in Residential and tagged on by .

Home Security Facial RecognitionIf you believe your home is your castle, you’ll want to make sure that you keep it safe and secure, even when you aren’t at home. With the development of modern home security technology, you can rest assured that your home will be closely monitored all the time with facial recognition

Security systems have evolved to the point that it’s possible to buy a camera that cannot immediately be recognized as a recording device. You can hide it in plain sight in your home. These types of devices have sleek, modern designs that make them appear similar to hi-tech speakers. A casual observer would not guess that they are, in fact, a type of input device for a method of keeping your home safe.

Self-Contained Units For Peace Of Mind

These types of systems are self-contained, but they do require a constant source of power in order to run. You will need a USB cable for this purpose. Since they need constant power, you will have some limitations where to set up the camera.

You can use your smartphone to sync coverage, which means you can monitor what is going on in your home from just about anywhere. If you want to check in on your home from the office, on your daily commute, while you are doing errands or any other time of day, you have the flexibility to do so at your convenience. To store the footage taken from the surveillance camera, all you need is a MicroSD card.

Easy To Set Up Your Facial Recognition System

The best place to aim the camera is toward the front door to your home or a main entry point. You can download monitoring apps for iOS or Android phones or tablets.

You will need to enter your WiFi information into the app in order to have it create a timeline of events. This timeline will be trigger by movement in your home and whether it has seen a face that it “recognizes” before.

When a recognition occurs, you will receive a facial recognition notification on your cell phone. Depending on the app, you may receive captured footage or a live feed. There will be a slight delay (usually a few seconds) from the time the activity is recorded to the time you receive the notification on your phone.

System Does Have Drawbacks

The system is helpful, but it is not flawless. There is no battery backup available, for example. If the power to your home is cut, you will no longer have access to the camera. A burglar could cut the cord to the camera, and you would be left without this security measure. If you lose power to your home, then the system wouldn’t work either.

Although Locksmith Sarasota doesn’t offer facial recognition services. Check out Netatmo if your interested in adding this security to your home. We do offer a wide variety of quality home security services. To find out more about your options regarding a home security system, consult with a licensed locksmith. They can look at your needs and recommend a solution that is right for you.

What You Need To Know About Home Security Door Locks

This entry was posted in Locks, Residential and tagged , on by .

Home Security Door Locks-Locksmith SarasotaNothing is more important for your family’s safety and the protection of your assets than a reliable home security system. Installing high security door locks on every entryway is the most effective and reliable way to fend off unwanted intruders. At Locksmith Sarasota, we have everything you need to secure your property and protect your loved ones.

Types Of Home Security Door Locks

There are several types of home security door locks that you can choose. From basic, to high security, to convenience. Discover the information that you need to know now regarding these residential house locks.

Basic Key-in-Knob Lock

When it comes to discouraging unauthorized entry to your home, nothing is more effective than a deadbolt lock. Most doors have a basic key-in-knob lock, which utilizes a spring to hold the bolt in place. If you apply enough force to the bolt, it can retract regardless of whether you use a key. Because a deadbolt lacks a spring mechanism, it is impossible to force open by turning.

Single And Double Cylinder Deadbolt Locks

A single cylinder deadbolt mounts on the interior face of the door and features a twist knob inside and a key cylinder outside. A double cylinder deadbolt also mounts inside but has key cylinders on both sides, so a key is needed to lock it or unlock it from inside the home. The double cylinder lock is a good option if your door is next to a window. With a single cylinder lock, an intruder could break the glass, reach in and twist the inside knob to gain access.

Keyless Pin Pad Locks

A keyless deadbolt eliminates the need for a key. To gain entry, you enter a numeric code on a keypad. You never have to worry about misplaced or stolen keys and you can change the code quickly and easily if you ever suspect someone knows your combination. This pin pad code-type of system, is also convenient if you ever need to let someone into your home when you’re not there, like a repair man or babysitter, but don’t want to give them a key. After they’re gone, you can simply just change the code.

Home Security Door Locks

We at Locksmith Sarasota offer a wide variety of high quality home security door locks to suit all your home security needs and we carry locks made by the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. Whether you need a deadbolt for your front door or a secure locking system for you sliding glass patio door, our professionally trained locksmiths can provide you with the best locks your money can buy.

Investing in high security door locks for your home is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you get knowing your family and personal possessions are safe.

Contact Locksmith Sarasota Today For Affordable
Home Security Solutions!

Top Home Security Tips

Everyone wants to feel safe in their own home, whether they are renting or own the property. When customers are asking about how they can help to protect their home, its contents and the people they care about most when we do our assessments for home security installation in Sarasota, we find that we end up offering the same suggestions time and again. We’ve compiled a list of our top home security tips to keep your home and property safe.

Top Home Security Tips-Residential Locksmith In Sarasota

Top Home Security Tips From A Professional Sarasota Locksmith

Doors

  • Make sure all of your exterior doors are equipped with a properly installed deadbolt.
  • Place a dowel in any glass sliding doors to prevent opening. You can buy “Charlie bars” for this purpose.
  • Consider replacing screen doors with aluminum or steel security doors instead.
  • Install a peep-hole viewer so that you can identify visitors before opening the door.

Windows

  • Keep curtains and blinds closed when not necessary. This strategy will prevent outsiders from observing the goings-on in your home.
  • Replace damaged screens or when they start to fall out of the window frame.
  • Limit access to your windows by keeping items that can be used to gain entry to your home locked up, such as maintenance ladders, chairs and tools.

Keys And Control Of Keys

  • Never leave your house keys unattended. I.e. don’t have them on the key chain when you have work done on your vehicle.
  • Consider keying all doors in your home the same, with the exception of one that is used by your housekeeper, babysitter, cleaner, or anyone else you need to give access to your home. If you decide not to work with this person anymore, you only need to pay to have one lock rekeyed.

Outside Your Home

  • Make sure you have plenty of lighting around the perimeter of your property.
  • Trim back bushes and trees so that potential burglars or predators do not have places to hide near entrances.
  • Cut up boxes from any major purchases instead of placing them at the curb. You don’t want to advertise the fact that you have just bought a new big-screen TV!

Additional Security Tips For Your Home

  • Consider installing a locking mail box to prevent mail theft. Arrange for direct deposit of regular payments instead checks, if possible.
  • Keep all of your personal papers and any firearms in your home in a secure lockbox.
  • Review your insurance coverage at least once a year to ensure that you have adequate coverage. Ask whether your insurer will give you a discount if you install an alarm system and get a list of approved vendors – then get the alarm installed.

Residential Locksmith Services In Sarasota

Locksmith Sarasota offers multiple, professional residential locksmith services including home re-keying, emergency home lock-outs and home security installation. Our experience, professionalism and care will ensure that you feel safe in your home.

Call Now To See What We Can Do For You!

Why You Need A Good Lock On Your Door And What Those Locks Are

This entry was posted in Residential and tagged , on by .

Your home truly is your castle. It’s the place you retreat to at the end of the day. You store your belongings there in addition to your memories. It’s the place where your family gathers at the end of the day for nourishment and rest. You need to make sure that it is safe, both while you and your family are at home and when you’re are out and about.

It’s important to have quality locks on both the front and back doors of your home to safely secure your home and belongings. Learn more about the different types of residential locks available:

Types of Home Locks - LocksmithSarasota.org

Types Of Residential Locks Available

There are a variety of locks available for your home, including:

Entry Lockset

The entry lockset is made up of two doorknobs which can be locked from either side. One type locks from the inside by turning or pressing down on a small knob, and a key must be used to unlock the door from the outside, whereas other models must be unlocked with a key from both the inside and the outside.

This is a medium security door-lock set.

Deadbolt Lock

The deadbolt lock is only operated manually with either a key from the outside or a thumb turn from the inside. Residential locksmiths recommend this type, since it provides a maximum level of security for a customer. The lock bolts the door to the frame and helps prevent an intruder from prying the door open.

Single-cylinder deadbolts are operated with a key from the outside and a turn button on the inside of the door. This type of lock is used mainly with either wood or solid metal doors Double cylinder deadbolts require a key on both sides of the door in order to operate them. These are best used on a door with glass in and around it, since this style will prevent a would-be intruder from breaking the glass, reaching into your home and turning the button to unlock the door and gain entry.

Handle Set

A handle set is usually an entry set that combines a lockset and a deadbolt. The deadbolt is installed just above the door knob or handle. It can be ordered with either a single or double-cylinder deadbolt in a number of styles and finishes to compliment the door hardware and the exterior style of your home.

Keyless Entry System

For the ultimate in convenience, consider a keyless entry system. You will be advised by audio and visual prompts when the lockset is activated. The system’s anti-theft rolling code will ensure that the same code is never used twice; some systems are compatible with garage door openers, so you only have to remember a single code.

Residential Locksmith

A residential locksmith is the best choice for quality installation of the right locks for your needs to keep your home and family secure!

For Advice About Which Lock Option Will Best Fit Your Needs Or To Schedule An Installation, Call Locksmith Sarasota Today!